Expansion belt for garments



Nov. 8, 1949 A. D. GRxsANTx EXPASION BELT FOR GARMENTS Filed June 19, 1947 INVENTOR. AMEDEO D-GR15ANT1 rllllill. vllldllvr! ATTORNEY Iatented Nov. 8, 19.49

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPANSION BELT FOR GARMENTS Amedeo D. Grisanti, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Application June 19, 1947, Serial No. 755,653

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in belts for the support of trousers, skirts of any other appropriate type of garment for men, women or children.

The invention provides an expansion belt includng a belt member for encircling the waist, as heretofore, and having overlapping ends at the front of a pair of trousers or at a placket adjacent the side of a side opening skirt; but the new belt assembly includes, in addition to the belt member, means of a novel type for holding the overlapped ends of the belt member in the desired overlapping arrangement. At the same time, the new belt assembly includes means for nevertheless rendering the belt assembly expansible, and, in the latter connection, means for permitting adjustment of the expansibility of the belt assembly.

In attaining the objects of the invention, an arrangement is provided whereby the overlapped ends of the belt member may be positioned to retain their overlapped relation regardless of Varia tions in the elective length of the belt assembly as such length automatically varies as the wearer assumes various postures or as his waist circumference changes from any cause. These results are obtained in part through the provision of guiding means carried by a portion of the belt member remote from the tongue end of the same, and through which guiding means the tongue end of the belt proper may be threaded or passed and thereafter slidingly shifted as the belt assembly varies in agreement with waist circumference changes. In these connections, one or more loops are provided on the belt member, with or without a buckle.

In one way of carrying out the invention, a single such loop is employed, preferably in combination with a non-locking type of buckle; and in another way of carrying out the invention, a plurality of loops are employed, preferably three, these loops being secured to the belt member at spaced points along its length.

A further feature of the invention is a belt assembly so arranged that when worn, the portion thereof which is to lie at the front of the wearer is downwardly curved over a distance from about one hip to the other; thereby to obtain a utility which will later be explained.

The ordinary type of belt, nothing more than a straight strip of leather, canvas or like nonstretchable material, one inch or more in width, and with one of various types of buckles at one end, has never given the wearer comfort; nor does this belt sit properly around the waist, especially 2 when used with trousers. The downward curvature just above referred to is of special Value to overcome this difculty.

The use of a non-stretchable belt member, yet the provision with the latter of an expansible belt as aforesaid, is a particularly important feature of the invention. This objective is attained by employing, in combination with a belt member substantially non-stretchable from end to end, a guiding means for the belt member carried near the end of the belt proper remote from its tongue end and through which guiding means the tongue adjacent end of the belt member is slidable in one direction or the other, and a lengthwisely resiiiently stretchable strap-form belt-auxiliary inside the belt member is connected at diierent ends to different parts of the belt member and also slidable in one direction or the other through said guiding means.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side elevation of one form of belt pursuant to the invention, with its ends overlapped as they would be when the belt is finally placed around the waist of the wearer.

Fig. 2 is an elevational View showing the inside of the front portion of said belt, this View being partially in section because the same was taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective View of the belt of Figs. 1 and 2, that is, with the parts unnaturally separated in order to facilitate ready understanding of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail view in top plan of parts of the belt where the same is adapted for attachment to a button sewed at the front of a pair of trousers.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational View, looking toward the inside of a modified form of belt according to the invention, looking toward the front portion of the belt where the same is equipped with features pursuant to the invention; the one part omitted being merely an intermediate length of the belt member.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View in perspective showing certain of the features of Fig. 5 and their relative arrangement in a manner so as better to clarify the showing of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the embodiment of Figs. and 6.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and first particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, in which connection it is explained that in Fig. 3 noV attempt has been made to show the downward front curvature of the belt, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and this with the idea of making Fig. 3 as simple as possible, and in which connection it is further explained that Fig, 3` has been further simplied by omitting showings of the stitches seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the new belt assembly as here shown incorporates a belt member I5 of substantially non-stretchable material.

The belt member I5 is shown as having a pointed or tongue end I6. The-oppositeendof the belt member is marked I1.

As the invention has been satisfactorily practiced, the belt member is made of a material commonly called rayon cotton belting, 2% inches wide withnished edges.. The belting is folded longitudinally so that the finished edges meetat the inside surface of the belt vmember along, the center line thereof,v whereupon stitchings i8 are applied, thus making a lightand yet avery strong belt and-one as.str ong as anyleatlier-beltof comparable thickness.

Along .a length of the belt member I5 adjacentits end I1, and uniformly spaced apart are threeloops I9, 29 and2I secured to the belt memberat1the inside1 thereof, by stitchings as indicated at22. As willbe notedfromFig 1, the stitchingsA 2-2`do` not extend to or through any parts of the loops facing the exterior ofthe belt proper. The lastmentionedparts of said loops, then, are clearly slide guidemeans; and through such slide means, when the belt is placed on the Waist, the tong ue end I6 of the belt member is passed, as clearly shown when Fig. 1 is taken with Fig, 3.

Indonning thenew beltrelative to a pair of trousers the center loop will be an indexing means for proper placementof the belt, that is, for. lying opposite the front center ofthe trousers.

Experiments have shown that to obtain most eilicienoy in use. ofthe belt, the space between each two adjoining loops should be one-sixteenth ofthe size of the waist.

A button hole 23,is provided in the belt proper I5, running lengthwise thereof and placed just alongside the center loop I9. This button hole coacts with a button 24 shown in Fig. 4, which should be sewed on the frontof the trousers 25 at the outside of the ily 26,. This arrangement provides a means for holding kthe belt stationary and always properly centered at Athe frontof the Waist.

Fixed tothe belt member I5'is a male snapV fastener 21; In the case-of a belt forV a thirty-two inch waist, which -is here shown, this fastener-is desirably placed-about one-quarter of an inch to the right of the -loop 2I as-the `parts are seenin Fig. 3.

Stitched as at 28 to the inside of the belt v"membery I5 is a strip 294.01 inelastiomateriaLasFrench canvas, for stiffening; and `at uniform intervals along the strip 29, before the latter is stitched to of the strap, and with the other such piece, marked 40, on the outer side of the strap.

The piece 39 is longer than the piece 40, as at the former are mounted two female fasteners 4I and 42, While at the latter piece is mounted merely a single such female fastener 43. As will be seen from Fig. 3, the fastener sockets of the fasteners 4I and 42 face outwardly, that is, toward the posts of the fasteners 3|V to 31, while the fastener socket of the fastener -43 faces inwardly, that is, toward the post of fastener 21.

The pieces 39 and 4D, which not only strengthen the anchorages of the snap fasteners associated therewithand also act to hold the elastic 38 to flatness during stretch and recovery from stretch, areboth-attachedY to the strap 38 so as to be lockedilatwise .there against. This is illustrated in connection with the piece 39, which is stitched all-'around its four sides to the strap 38.

The elastic strap 38 comprises here the lengthwisely resiliently stretchableistrap-ferniv beltauxiliary aforesaid;A the same.- bei-ng slicglab-lef,V through .the three loops I 9,- 29 4and 2 I and; con-I Y stituting, in combinatonwith the-.varQuSf-Snap5 fasteners described; an adjustable;belt-auxiliary.

The fasteners .3:.I to 31:.are spacedgaccording togthefwaist size designationlunder1 whichthebelt is... marketed. The fasteners are three-quartersof.' an. inch apart, so as =to. allow.; the belt topbeflet; out two and one-halff'inches, andtakenvin the.,

same amount.

andthe snap fastenersZI and1y43 are coupled., rlhis end ofthe strap. need1neyerf-begtlctahd;

The two snap fasteners-.4I andl42rareethlll: coupled with some two -adjoiningones offthesnap; fasteners 3| to 31, depending on theeamount of;

resilientl action which isV to be -exhibited1bye the elastic strap 38 duringv and following; placement.:`

of the belt on the-waist of lthe-wearer. Whem.

able aroundV the waist-line.Y Couplingof the-fasteners4l vand- 42withtlfie fastenersl-34and-33 provides a belt according to the-invention especiallyw sized for a thirty-two inch waist.`

If desired, the snap fasteners can lie-reversed; that is, the fasteners on thebelt may be female;

ones, andthose on the strap138'male ones.

When ,thewselected pair ofjjfasteners 3Ito ,31. havebeenY coupled to thefasteners 4I `andg42f; l

following wrapping ofV the belt 'around the, waist of the wearer, the tongue IB is, inserted' first* through ythe IQQDJOfand jthen, through theloops I9 and 2|. The aHOWcd-fonstretch of the strap 38 now occurring, theA tongue-adjacent end. of` the beltlies flatk against therernainder of the belt,

andz all otherpartsof the belt assemblyalso liel flat.l Should the ef fe1ctive length of the belt* change, fromy modified posture. or otherwise, all j parts of the .belt except said tongue-adjacent portion. thereof will continue to lie lflat while the readyslidability of thelast mentioned'portion ofthe belt through the loops,v I 9, ZULa-ndj,

2l causessaid belt portion automatically to flat-1 ten, out anytemporarily setup `bellying:there- ,along. Said. portion, of., the bcltgthus.falway..

completely covers the entire length of the strap 38.

A feature of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 'and 2 is a downward dipping or curving of the length of the belt I5 which is to lie at the front of the'wearer. This curvature, indicated at 46, extending from about hip to hip, is a downward curvature which at its lower point gives a downward dip of about one and one-half inches. Such curvature will keep the belt in balance around the waist of the wearer. To explain:

Trousers of conventional design are cut one and one-half inches higher in the back than in the front. Because of this greater back height, the loops on the trousers waist are ordinarily sewed on one-quarter to one-half inch lower at the back; but this difference is never enough to keep the belt in balance around the waist.

Consequently, by using iioor level measures, it will be found that the top edge around the waist of the trousers will not measure the same. The side measure over the hip-bone will be threequarters of an inch to one inch higher than that at the front center. The back center will measure one and one-quarter inches to one and one-half inches or over, greater than the front center measure. Because of this a straight belt cannot balance properly around the trousers waist. It will drop in the back and go up in the front. pair of trousers in the correct position.

The one and one-half inch deep curve 46 across the front of applicants expansion belt will eliminate these defects, because such curve will automatically raise the back part of the belt the same amount, thus preserving the balance.

The curve 46 can be provided by blocking in with a pressing iron on suitably treated materials such as rayon cotton belting, wool, suede and other pliable materials which can be set to a definite direction of extension by pressing with a hot iron. In the case of leather or plastic belts the curve can be cut in.

Because of the curve 4B, the two front loops on the trousers can be eliminated. When the belt is attached to the front of the trousers, as by way of the button hole 23 and a button 24 (Fig. 4) carried by the trousers as already explained, this will be suilicient to support the front of the belt in the correct position. The l elimination of the two loops on the front of the trousers would save domestic clothing manufacturers the labor and material cost of making and stitching in place seventy-live million or more loops per year.

The front of the belt may be provided with a sliding buckle for location at the front of the belt when worn. In that case, also present, preferably, is a single loop.

An arrangement pursuant to this way of carrying out the invention is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '1.

Figs. 5, 6 and 1 are drawn, it will be noted (as was Fig. 3), to avoid attempting to show a curvature, also to be present, corresponding to the curvature 46 of the embodiment first described; and it will also be noted that, as in the case of Fig. 3, Figs. 5, 6 and 'l have been further simplified by omitting any showing of stitchings, except in one case, that is, to show a button hole 41 corresponding to the button hole 23 as and for the purpose already explained.

The buckle is shown at 48, and the single loop at 49.

The parts marked I5', I6', 21, 29', 3|' to 31', 38', 39', 40', 4I', 42' and 43' correspond respec- Therefore, it can never hold up a K A. il

tively to the parts given these reference char acters without primes in Figs. l, 2 and 3.

It will be noted that the strip 29 is placed somewhat differently along the belt I5' than is the strip 29 of Fig. 3. Another difference is that the end 50 of the belt member I5' remote from its tongue I6 is wrapped around the centerbar 5l of the buckle 48 and stitched as at 52 to anchor said end to the buckle.

From the description of the embodiment of Figs. 1-4, the manner of use and the operative features and advantages of the embodiment of Figs. 5, 6 and '1 will be readily understood. The purpose of the button hole 41 is the same as that of the button hole 23. The snap fasteners 21' and 43 are first coupled and may remain coupled at all times.

When. with the elastic strap running through the buckle 48 as shown in Fig. 6, the belt has been placed around the waist of the wearer, the selected pair of snap fasteners 3l to 31' are coupled to the fasteners 4|' and 42'. Thereupon, the tongue I6 is also run through the buckle (as shown in Fig. 6), and then through the loop 49, and the tongue is pulled until all slack is drawn up. In this case also, the tongue-adjacent end portion of the belt will be free to slide through its guiding means, here the buckle 48 and the single loop 49, back and forth, in accordance with expansions and contractions of the belt during wear of the same.

While snap fasteners have been shown and particularly described, it will be understood that any practicable and desired equivalents may be employed; as, for instance, hooks and eyes.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming'within the scope. of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A belt comprising a belt member having a tongue end portion and a buckle-carrying end portion, a buckle secured to said buckle-carrying end portion for guiding said tongue end portion, a male snap fastener part secured to said buckle-carrying end portion adjacent said buckle, a row of male snap fastener parts secured to said tongue end portion, and an elastic strip having a female snap fastener part at one of its ends for coaction with said buckle-carrying end portion fastener part, and having a female snap fastener part at the other of its ends for coaction with any one of said tongue end portion fastener parts for adjusting the length of said belt, said belt end portions having overlapping parts and said elastic strip passing between said overlapping parts, said belt being expandable from any of its adjusted positions by stretching of said elastic strip, expansion and contraction of said elastic strip being accompanied by sliding of said tongue end portion in said buckle.

2. A belt comprising a belt member having a tongue end portion, a buckle-carrying end portion, a buckle secured to said buckle-carrying end portion for guiding said tongue end portion, a fastener secured to said buckle-carrying end portion adjacent said buckle, a fastener secured to said tongue end portion, and an elastic strip having at one end a complementary fastener for coaction with the fastener of said buckle-carryingi end; portion; av complementary fastener on the other nd: of saidr elastic stripY forv coactionparts,v e said beltV being4 expandable bystretchingv of said' elastic strip,r expansion andi contraction` of` said-l elastic strip being; accompanied by sliding of said tonguefendnportion in said. buckle.

AMEDEO D. GRISANTL REFERENCES, CITED The following referencesfare of record in theV 111eA ofthis patent:

Number 8: UNITED STATES: PATENTS Name Date Wighard'" Aug.' 28,v 1900 Brown May'27, 1902`A Havilandl Mar: 24, 1903" BarnesV Sept; 25,. 1934i-- Murphey Feb. 22,119'44" 

